23 May 2005
Three high school students will grill Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews about the impact of individual workplace agreements in a Talkback Classroom interview at Parliament House on Wednesday.
The panel which includes a part-time worker who recently signed an Australian Workplace Agreement plans to question the Member for Menzies on industrial relations reform and whether his conscience impacts on his political decisions.
The students set to quiz him are: Claire Oppermann, Warrnambool College; Gerhard Leinenga, Kimberley College, Brisbane; and Joe Rafalowicz, University Senior College, Adelaide.
WHAT: Talkback Classroom with Kevin Andrews
WHEN: 11.30am, Wednesday, 25 May, 2005
WHERE: Theatrette, Parliament House, Canberra
Talkback Classroom gives students access to key politicians and public figures as part of the national civics curriculum. Other guests at the National Museum of Australia this year include the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, Diana Bryant; and the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith, Peter Garrett.
Student preparation for Wednesday's interview included meetings with ministerial advisers, parliamentarians, visiting experts and members of the media, organised by the Parliamentary Education Office.
Two international Talkback Classroom sessions were held earlier this year, with links to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States and Te Papa Museum in New Zealand.
The Kevin Andrews interview will be edited and broadcast on ABC Radio National's Life Matters program and the SBS TV program, School Torque.
For interviews, images or more information please contact Leanda Coleman on 02 6208 5338, 0438 620 710 or l.coleman@nma.gov.au or Sandy Forbes on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or s.forbes@nma.gov.au